RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Expression of Insulin-like Growth Factor II mRNA-binding Protein 3 in Gallbladder Carcinoma JF Anticancer Research JO Anticancer Res FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 5777 OP 5785 DO 10.21873/anticanres.14594 VO 40 IS 10 A1 SUNG JOO KIM A1 SO-WOON KIM A1 CHI HYUCK OH A1 MIKYOUNG HONG A1 SUNG-IM DO A1 YOUN WHA KIM A1 HYUN-SOO KIM A1 KIYONG NA YR 2020 UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/40/10/5777.abstract AB Background/Aim: Emerging evidence suggests that Insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein 3 (IMP3) promotes tumor progression in several human malignancies. We investigated whether IMP3 expression has clinicopathological and prognostic significance in gallbladder adenocarcinoma (GBAC). Patients and Methods: We examined immunohistochemical IMP3 expression in 204 GBACs and its associations with clinicopathological parameters and patient outcomes. Results: The majority (87.7%) of GBACs exhibited at least focal cytoplasmic and membranous IMP3 immunoreactivity. Tumor-specific IMP3 expression highlighted proper muscle invasion, which was not detected in the corresponding hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides. This finding upgraded pathological tumor stage (pT) from pT1a to pT1b in four well-differentiated GBACs. High IMP3 expression was associated with high histological grade, advanced stage, and lymphatic invasion, as well as worse overall survival. Conclusion: Tumor-specific IMP3 expression in GBAC is helpful in determining the tumor extent, especially in well-differentiated tumors. High IMP3 expression reflects aggressive oncogenic behavior of GBAC. IMP3 expression may be used as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in GBAC.